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ANAO finds problems with Tiger choppers

The Army's Tiger helicopters have been banned from flying over populated areas with rocket launcher pods fitted because of a risk these could fall off. And nobody knows why,

A scathing report by the Australian National Audit Office says the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters were declared operational in April, seven years later than planned, but with a wide range of deficiencies and capability shortfalls.

Tigers can't yet operate from the Navy's new landing ships, nor in high threat environments, and aren't available in sufficient numbers to give pilots the mandated minimum 150 flight hours a year.

Although the aircraft have just achieved final operational capability, they're scheduled for an upgrade next year.

The ANAO says Defence should conduct a thorough analysis of the value for money in investing further in the helicopters. The 2016 Defence White Paper allocated $500-750 million to address Tiger problems, with replacement set for the mid-2020s.

Australia ordered 22 Tigers from Eurocopter, now Airbus Group, in 2001 to provide the Army with an armed helicopter able to conduct reconnaissance, escort and attack missions. The cost then was $1.1 billion, $1.86 billion in 2013.

Entry to service was scheduled for 2009 but there have been numerous problems. An earlier audit concluded that, far from an off-the-shelf procurement of a mature capability, Tiger required substantial development.

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Operating costs are high - $30,355 per flying hour and a long-term average of almost $40,000, compared with a target of $20,000. On average only 3.5 of 16 operational aircraft were serviceable on any day, against a target of 12.

The 15-year sustainment contract was for $571 million but that ran out in 2014, five years early. Sustainment costs stood at $921 million in June.

When final operational capability was declared in April, that was accompanied by nine operational caveats with 76 capability deficiencies, 60 deemed critical.

The problem with rocket pods detaching mid-flight has occurred twice, once to a German Tiger and once to an Australian aircraft. The cause hasn't been determined and this is classed as a fleet-wide risk.

Defence says the occurrence is low but restricts Tiger operations to non-populated areas to reduce risk.

But that's not all. There are problems with Tiger's electronic warfare self-protection and identification systems. Tiger's datalink can't communicate with other helicopters or the Amy's battle management system.

Defence said Tiger was a sound although expensive capability and there had been significant progress on improving support and availability. Airbus said there had been progress and the ANAO report failed to appreciate improvements over the last two years.